Penn State Nittany Lions: A Dynasty of Success in American Football

Rivalry with the West Virginia Mountaineers

The Penn State Nittany Lions and the West Virginia Mountaineers have a long and storied rivalry in American football, dating back over 100 years.

The two teams first met in 1893, and West Virginia holds a slight edge in the all-time series, with a record of 30-25-2.

The rivalry has been particularly heated in recent years, with both teams competing for the Big 12 Conference Championship.

Notable Moments in the Rivalry

• In 2011, the Nittany Lions defeated the Mountaineers 31-30 in a thrilling overtime game.
• In 2016, the Mountaineers upset the Nittany Lions 20-19 in Morgantown.
• In 2018, the Nittany Lions won a convincing 56-21 victory over the Mountaineers.

Key Figures in the Rivalry

• Joe Paterno, Penn State's legendary head coach from 1966 to 2011, had a 17-10 record against West Virginia.
• Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia's head coach from 2001 to 2007, had a 4-3 record against Penn State.
• Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia's head coach from 2011 to 2018, had a 3-3 record against Penn State.

Future of the Rivalry

The Penn State-West Virginia rivalry is expected to continue to be one of the most competitive and entertaining in the Big 12 Conference for many years to come.

Both teams have talented rosters and experienced coaching staffs, and the fans are passionate about their teams.

The next chapter in this historic rivalry will be written on September 2, 2023, when the Nittany Lions host the Mountaineers at Beaver Stadium.